What is the minimum age to take this class?

Students must be at least 13 years old for Catalina 12.5s; students 16 and older may use Catalina 16.5s.

Do I need prior sailing experience?

No prior sailing experience is required; the course covers fundamentals from rigging to recovery.

How many students are in each class?

Classes are limited to four students to maximize instructor attention; a minimum of two students is required for the class to run.

What is the schedule for the two-day course?

The course includes evening Zoom study, a Saturday morning Zoom session, Saturday afternoon on-water practice, and Sunday morning on-water drills.

What happens if a class doesn’t meet the minimum?

If insufficient enrollment occurs, you will be offered a reschedule to another open class date.

Will I receive a certification?

The course follows ASA curriculum chapters and prepares you for ASA certifications; verify specific credential issuance with the operator.

Learn Dinghy Sailing in Nashville: ASA 110 Two-Day Catalina Course

Adventure Brief

Compress two intensive days into measurable sailing progress. This ASA 110 class blends Zoom theory with on-water practice in Catalina dinghies, ideal for ages 13+ and small groups of four. Bring deck shoes, layered clothing, and a readiness to learn.

2 days

moderate

From $736.70

On the water just outside Nashville, Tennessee, ASA 110 Basic Small Boat Sailing Group Class (2-day Course) teaches dinghy fundamentals in a two-day, small-group format that pairs Zoom classroom sessions with hands-on time in Catalina 12.5s and 16.5s. Designed for sailors ages 13 and up, the course compresses core boat handling — sail trim, tacking, jibing, docking, and capsize recovery — into focused practice with a maximum four-student roster and the individualized attention that brings real progress.

Instruction begins with two evening and morning Zoom sessions that lay out parts of the boat, rigging, points of sail, rules of the road, navigation buoyage, and safety procedures. On-water training follows: Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sessions put those lessons into motion. Expect guided drills on docking, heaving-to, wing-on-wing sailing, man-overboard recovery, and efficient sail changes. The school uses Catalina 12.5s for younger students (13–15) and Catalina 16.5s for sailors 16 and older, giving an authentic dinghy feel without the steep learning curve of high-performance skiffs.

Small group size and focused drills make this course efficient: instructors can watch helm positioning, correct sail trim, and crew coordination in real time, offering immediate corrections that stick. For families and teen-adult pairs, the class is practical: parents and children can take parallel instruction on appropriately sized boats, learning common language and safety procedures together.

The program follows established ASA curriculum chapters, making it a sensible pathway toward further certification, racing or confident daysailing alike. Practical details are straightforward: classes require a minimum of two students to run; if the minimum isn't met you may be rescheduled. Bring layered clothing, non-slip deck shoes, sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and a spare set of dry clothes. Basic swimming comfort is required, but no prior sailing experience is necessary.

Expect to be active on deck: trimming sails, adjusting weight, communicating maneuvers, and executing quick recoveries during drills. Instructors emphasize safe practices, rules of the road, and effective emergency procedures, so students leave with usable competence rather than abstract theory. For sailors who want to move into competitive dinghy racing or take up keelboat ownership, the course provides a practical foundation and clear next steps.

Teaching on Catalinas keeps logistics simple and maintenance predictable, which translates into more on-water instruction time for each participant. If you value hands-on coaching, small classes, and a direct pathway from classroom lessons to competent boat handling, this ASA 110 offering in Nashville is worth a spot on your calendar. Book early to secure one of four student seats, and plan for changing conditions so lessons stay productive whatever the weather. The course blends practical seamanship, safety, and the small-boat thrill of steering under canvas, setting students up for safer and more confident days afloat.

Learn Dinghy Sailing in Nashville: ASA 110 Two-Day Catalina Course

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